Tag Archives: Urban Heat Island

Rethinking Green Infrastructure

May 2014: A new Arup study Cities Alive – rethinking green infrastructure“shows how the creation of a linked ‘city ecosystem’ that encompasses parks and open spaces; urban trees, streets, squares; woodland and waterways can help create healthier, safer and more prosperous cities. To realise this vision, green infrastructure has to now take a more influential role in the planning and design of cities and urban environments.”

A number of London green infrastructure initiatives are touched on including:

The report also looks at how green infrastructure can help cities adapt to increasing temperatures as a result of climate change. All in all an interesting read!

Posted in News | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Urban Green Infrastructure

15 November 2013: The Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology has just produced a short briefing note on ‘Urban Green Infrastructure’ which “summarises research evidence of the effectiveness of green infrastructure, and challenges to its implementation.” It includes reference to ‘cooling  the urban heat islands‘ stating:

“Urban areas often experience elevated temperatures compared with the surrounding countryside, because of extensive heat absorbing surfaces, such as concrete and tarmac, concentrated heat production and impeded air flow. For example, the centre of London is on average 5°C warmer than surrounding rural areas.

Read the full POST note here.

Posted in Library | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Energy and Climate Questions to the Mayor

July 2013: This month the Mayor has been asked questions in relation to:

the Mayor and climate change denial; whether the Mayor will be publishing an update to his Climate Change Adaptation Strategy; if an audit of the London Energy Efficiency Fund (LEEF) will be undertaken; progress under LEEF; promotion of water efficiency measures; commissioning an energy security of supply study for London; the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the Mayor and energy suppliers; Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and RE:NEW; confirmation of the single loan provided by LEEF; the Transport for London (TfL) energy strategy; TfL emissions action plan; clarification on the Mayor’s policy on waste incineration; fracking in London; the Mayor’s comments on climate prediction; differences between the Mayor’s comments on climate prediction and the London Climate Change Adaptation; the Mayor’s 2013/14 budget for climate adaptation; TfL climate risks action plan; the Mayor’s work with the insurance industry on building regulations; funding a health sector building to be climate resilient; climate risk information to Health & Well Being Boards; the Mayor’s commitment to look at overheating; work on risks related to flooding and critical infrastructure; flood risk data portal; surface water management plan for London; performance of the Green Deal in London; avoiding future electricity blackouts in London; weather data for London; work on the London Rivers Action Plan;  developing community-led responses to heatwaves in London; buildings in London using cool-roof technology; studies with social housing groups on insulation and overheating; work with CIBSE on overheating in new developments; green roofs in London; helping offset the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in London; in light of the Mayor’s recent article – whether he will be abandoning Action 5.1 of his Climate Change Adaptation Strategy; an update on the London Drought Plan; the number of schools in London with rainwater harvesting systems; work on an intensive urban greening retrofitting pilot project to manage surface water flood risk; the work of the Drain London Forum; working with communities at flood risk; approved suppliers on the RE:FIT framework; the Citigen CHP scheme;  how the Mayor will stop the Green Deal being a total disaster in London; Job losses in the insulation industry.

Previous months questions to the Mayor can be found here.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tools for Cooling Urban Heat Islands

June 2012: The Clean Energy Solutions Center (cleanenergysolutions.org) is hosting a series of free webinars including one entitled ‘Global Cool Cities: Tools for Cooling Urban Heat Islands’. Chapter 5 of London’s ‘Climate Change Adaptation Strategy‘ provides detailed information on the challenges faced in urban areas as a result of increasing temperatures and the webinar hosted by Clean Energy Solutions Center will focus on“how cool roof and pavement materials can mitigate urban island heat effects, lower energy costs, and improve the environment.The webinar takes place on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM BST – the link to register is here. Further information on climate change adaptation issues and London can be found here.

Posted in News | Tagged , | Leave a comment

More green space needed to tackle urban warming

31 May 2011: The impact of urban climate change could be reduced by as much as 2.5°C by increasing the amount of green space in town and cities. RICS paper (subscriber only unfortunately) highlighting that by removing just ten per cent of the green space from a built-up area could see maximum temperatures increase by as much as 7°C.

Posted in News | Tagged | Leave a comment